A reptile rescue centre in Knaresborough has warned it may not survive until next year if income doesn’t increase.
The Knaresborough Exotic Rescue Centre has 50 animals in its care, with 45 waiting to find permanent homes. As well as a rescue centre it is also an education centre for students.
The centre’s owner, Daniel Holmes, said unless further donations or adoptions were forthcoming the centre may have to close. He said:
“We are really struggling to find the funds to keep the centre going. Of course we want to stay open to help the animals and to work with the students but we can only push so far.”
This snake is currently up for adoption at the centre.
It costs £1,800 per month to run the centre due to the amount of electricity needed for the reptile enclosures.
The centre has recently received a grant from North Yorkshire County Council for about £1,300, which has helped but Mr Holmes said more was needed.
He added the number of rescue animals taken on during lockdown had increased but the number of rehoming requests hadn’t matched this.
Mr Holmes has been rescuing reptiles for 12 years and is determined to keep going but said the pandemic could mean he has to close for good.
There are few other centres nearby offering the same services.
Read more:
- WATCH to see just a few of the reptiles the centre rescued during the first lockdown.
- Six-foot boa finds its forever home in Markington.
During the second lockdown the centre was open to take in and care for animals. Now it is open to visitors too. He added:
“I’m hoping now lockdown is over people will come in and donate. If we weren’t here half these snakes would be dumped.
“We desperately need donations. We don’t want to let anyone down.”
To donate to the centre, find them on Facebook here or send a donation via PayPal to [email protected].
